Authorities uprooted and destroyed an estimated P60 million worth of marijuana plants in a large-scale anti-drug operation deep within the mountainous areas of Kalinga, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced.
The operation, conducted in Tinglayan town, led to the discovery of two marijuana plantation sites hidden in a remote communal forest area in Mt. Chumanchil, Barangay Loccong.
Police said anti-drug operatives and local law enforcement units, working alongside the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), eradicated around 300,000 fully grown marijuana plants spread across approximately 25,000 square meters of land.
Authorities immediately uprooted and destroyed the illegal crops on-site, while representative samples were preserved for laboratory examination and proper documentation.
The Cordillera region has long been identified as one of the country’s major marijuana cultivation areas because of its rugged terrain and difficult-to-access mountain communities.
PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. praised the operating teams for sustaining anti-drug operations even in geographically isolated locations.
“Patuloy nating pinapalakas ang ating operasyon laban sa ilegal na droga sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa. Ang matagumpay na eradication operation na ito ay malinaw na patunay na hindi tayo titigil sa pagprotekta sa ating mga komunidad laban sa mga epekto ng ilegal na droga,” Nartatez said.
The police chief also underscored the importance of stronger coordination between communities, local police, and national anti-drug agencies in preventing the return of illegal plantations in remote areas.
The operation forms part of the PNP’s intensified anti-illegal drug campaign under its Focus Agenda on Enhanced Managing Police Operations, which supports the broader peace and order program of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The PNP said it will continue intelligence-driven operations targeting illegal drug production and trafficking networks as part of efforts to strengthen public safety and security nationwide.